Indicating system.



R. F. SPAMER. INDICATINGYSYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s. 1914.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

l/V/f/vessesx //7 van for: Richard F Spar/wen RICHARD FULLER SPAMER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

mmcnrrive SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18,1919.

Application filed September 8, 1914. Serial No. 860,674.

' of a number of switches located at a switchswitch, to cause the display of a signal at the indicating station, which will designate the position of the switch. Th1s means preferably consists" of switching means at the switching station comprising a step-bystep circuit-closing device and'impulse-sending means for controlling the advancement of said circuit-closing device, and a circuitclosing device at the indicating station operating in synchronism with the circuit-010s ing device at the switching station and adapted to control the display of signals. The two stations may be connected by a single line circuit, and the mechanism'for causing the signal display is common to a plurality of switches at the switching station. Means are provided, in connection with each switch, for completing a controlling circuit for the switclrindicating mechanism preferably comprising locking relays, which are controlled primarily by the operation of the motor .switch and subsequently through contacts on the step-by-step circuit-closing device. By reason of this arrangement the controlling means, associated with each switch, will remain operated until the indication corresponding to this switch has been given, regardless of whether two or more switches are operated simultaneously.

Other features of the invention are the combinations of apparatus and circuits, whereby an accurate and efficient system is provided. I

The accompanying drawing illustrates diagrammatically one of the arrangements by which this invention may be efl'ectuated.

Located at the switching station, which is represented in the left-hand side of the drawing, are a plurality of power switches S, each of which carries a contact member 1, connected to a source of grounded battery 2. The contact members 1 are normally disengaged from, but arranged to engage with contact points or buttons 3, i. The power switches S are preferably motor driven rotary switches and may be rotated approximately 90 at each actuation. The switches S. however, may be manually operated and may be arranged with suitable weights and springs so that when the contact member 1 is moved into position to engage contact 3 and then released, it will swing a sufficient to momentarily engage contact 4. Associated with each of the switches S are two relays 5 and 11, each of which has a plurality of windings 6, 7 and 12, 13, respectively. When the contact member 1 engages contact point 3, relay 5 is actuated, and when said member engages contact point 4, relay 11 is actuated, as will hereinafter be explained. The resistance of winding 13 of relay 11 as considerablyless than the resistance of the other windings of relays 5 and 11, consequently permitting a greater flow of current over the circuit of which this winding forms a part, than is allowed over the circuits which include the several other windings of saidrelays. The object of this is to provide a means for the operation of marginal relays, as will hereinafter he set forth.

The contacts controlled by the relays 5 and 11 are interconnected to insure that under no conditions could both of said relays be actuated at the same time, as might otherwise occur when the switches S are rapidly thrown in and out-,which may be due to the.

action of circuit breakers. By bein g'interconnected, the operation of one of these relays Wlll open the circuit of the other, and

therefore one indication must be transmitted before another can be initiated. Associated with each switch S is a third relay 19, which is made slow in responding by means of a copper sleeve over the core in a manner well understood. The relays 5, 11 and 19 comdistance past its center or normalfposition prise a group which is permanently associated with, and individual to, a particular one of the power switches S and said relays respond to and clear out indications for that switch.

Two step-by-ste circuit closing devices or rotary selectors 5, 75 adapted to operate in synchronism, are located one at the swltching station and the other at the indicating station. Each of the selectors 75 comprises a ratchet wheel 76, carrying a contact member 7 7 radially mounted with respect to contacts or segments designated by characters 000 to 101 of a contactor ring. The actuation of the ratchet wheel 76, by means of a stepping pawl 82, controlled by a stepping magnet 81, advances the contact member 77 over the contacts served thereby. As the ratchet wheel 76 is rotated, a holding pawl 79, actuated by a magnet 78, prevents it from returning to normal position under tension of a recoil spring 173. Relays 51 and 58, when energized, produce an interrupter effect, thereby producing impulses which cause the synchronous operation of the selectors 75', 7 5, which will be hereinafter explained.

At the indicating station are lamps 121 and 123 of distinctive colors, the circuits of which are controlled by the armature of a polarized relay. 117. When one of the power switches S is in an operated position, the circuit established by the actuation of the selectors 75, 7 5, allows a source of battery to' flow in one direction through the polarized relay 117, which in turn closes a local circuit for the lamp 121. In case the switch S is returned to normal, additional means are actuated which change the direction of the flow of battery through the relay 117, causing it to close the circuit for the lamp 123. One or the other of these lamps is normally lighted. The attendant at the indicating station, by observing the lamp that is lighted, is informed of the position of any given switch. In practice it is preferred to have the lamp 121 red and the lamp 123 green. The lighting of these lamps will be hereinafter describedin detail.

The operation of the apparatus used in carrying out this invention is as follows: Assume that the power switch S, shown in the upper left-hand corner of the drawing, is operated. A circuit is completed over the following path: battery 2, contact member 1, conductor 21, winding 6 of relay 5, conductors22, 28, contact 20 of relay 19, conductor 29, coil of relay 30, to ground. The closure of this circuit energizes relay 5, which immediately forms a locking circuit for itself, which may be traced as fcllows: battery 17, back contact 15 of relay 11, conductor 25, front contact 10 and winding 6 of relay 5, conductors 22, 28, contact 20, conductor 29, coil of relay 30, to ground. The energization of relay 30 causes the actuation of relay 33 by the following path: battery 84, coil of relay 78, conductor 40,coil of relay 38, path of relays 37 and 36 connected in parallel, conductor 35, contact member 77, conductor 34, coil of .relay 33, conductor 32,

.contact 31, to ground. Bythe closure of the circuit just described, due to the high resistance of relay 33, it is the only relay included in the circuit that is energized. The energization of relay 33 completes a circuit for relay 41 over the following path: battery 42, contact 43, conductor 150, coil of relay 41, to ground. As soon as relay 41 is energized, it completes the following locking circuit for itself: battery 50, contact 49, conductor 48, contact 47, conductor 46, contact 44, coil of relay 41, to ground. The operation of relay 41 closes the circuit of relay 87 by the following path: battery 86, coil of relay 87, conductor 88, contact 55, to ground. A circuit is simultaneously completed through relay 58, as follows: battery 59, coil of relay 58, conductor 157, resistance unit 156, conductor 88, contact 55, to ground. The relay 58, in pulling up its armature, establishes a circuit for relay 38, which may be traced as follows: battery 59, front contact' 56 of relay 58, resistance unit 158, conductor 159, coil of relay 38, conductor 90, contact 89, to ground. The energization of relay 87 in turn establishes a circuit for the stepping magnet 81 of the selector 75, over the following path: battery 85, coil of magnet 81, conductors 104, 71, contact 72., con-' ductors 73, 90, contact 89, to ground. imultaneously, the holding magnet 78 is energized as follows: battery 84, coil of magnet 78, conductors 40, 90, contact 89, to ground.

It will be noted that the energization of relay 38 closed the line circuit between the switching station and the indicatin station as follows: battery 69, windings of relays 68 and 66, conductor 65, contact 64, line wire 63, resistance unit 62, winding of relay 61, conductor 60, contact 59, conductor 103, to ground. The completion of the. circuit just described causes the energization of relays 61 and 68, but as relay 66 is of a marginal type, it is not affected. Relay 68, in attracting its armature, establishes a circuit for relay 95 as follows: battery 91, front contact 92 of relay 68, conductors 93, 94, coil of relay 95, to ground. The energization of relay 95 Turning our attention to what occurs after the first impulse has been sent out at the switching station, it will be seen that a circuit for relay 51 was established by the actuation of relay 61, which may be traced as follows: battery 54, coil of relay 51, resistance unit 53, conductors 70, 71, contact 72,

conductors 73, 90, contact 89, to ground. The actuation of relay 51 short-circults relay158, which, in turn, allows its armature to fa back, opening front contact 56, causing the consequent denergization of relays 38, 61 and 68. The denergization of relay 61 opens the circuit of relay 51, which, in turn, releases its armature, thereby removing the short circuit from relay 58, which was previously established by said relay 51. The relay 58 immediately becomes energized by the closure of its circuit, as described above, which in turn sets in motion a new cycle for the operation of the relays 38, 61 and 68, which are instrumental in advancing the contact members 7 7 77 of the selectors 75, 75. It is apparent that relays 51 and 58 coiiperate with each other in such a manner as to constitute an interrupter for supplying the necessar impulses for operating the selectors 75, 75.

Giving our attention again to what occurs at the indicating station, after the first impulse has been transmitted over the line wires 63, it will be noticed that upon the deenergization of relay 68, a circuitthrough relay 107 was established as follows: battery 91, back contact 105 of relay 68, conductor 106, Winding of relay 107, conductors 108,97, contact 96, to ground. It may be stated here that owing to the rapidity with which the impulses are transmitted, together with the fact that relays 95 and 107 are slow in responding, these relays are maintained in their operated condition during the interruptions of the line circuit. The contact members 7 7, 77 of the selectors 75, 75 are ad vanced over the contact members 000' to 101, until said contact members 77, 77 engage with a given contact member assigned to the switch S, which has been operated. In this particular case, as shown in the drawing, contact. member 1' has been allotted to the switch whose operation we have been considering.

Y When the contact member 77 of the selector 75 at the switching station, engages the contact member 1, a circuit is established over the following path: battery 18, front contact 9 and winding 7 of relay 5, conductor 23, winding of relay 19, conductor 74,

.77 ,(conductor 116, coil of the polarized relay conductors 130,131, 132, winding of relay 133, conductor 134, back contact 135 of relay 145, to ground. The closure of this circuit operates the polarized relay 117, which in pulling up its armature 118, lights the lamp 121 by closing the following circuit: battery, conductor 120, contact 119, armature 118, conductor 122, lamp 121, conductor 124, to ground. The lighting of lamp 121 informs the attendant at the indicating station that a certain switch has been operated at the switching station.

The closure of the circuit through the re lay 133, as described above, causes it to attract its armature, thereby open-circuiting relay 160, which is normally energized by the following path; battery 155, coil of relay 160, front contact 161, conduct-or 137,

contact 136, to ground. The de'e'nergization of relay 160 opens the circuit of the line wire 63, causing the 'deenergization of relays 61, 66 and 68. The deenergization of relay 68 opens the circuit of the selector magnets 99 and 110, permitting it to return to normal position. When the selector 75 has been .relay 160 immediately establishes a locking circuit for itself, as follows: battery 155, coil of and front contact 161 of relay 160, conductor 137, contact 136, to ground. This ell T015111 maintains said relay normally energ1ze r Observing what is now taking place at the switching station, we find that the denergization of relays 61, 66 and 68 in the line circuit has opened the circuits of the holding magnet 78 and the stepping magnet 81 of the selector 75 located at this station. Relay 19, by attracting its armature, opens contact 20, thereby interrupting the circuit of relay 30. The current which flows from the battery 18, having a path of low resistance, actuates relay 37, the circuit for which may be traced as follows: battery 18, front contact 9 and winding 7 of relay 5, conductor 23, coil of relay 19, conductor 74, contact member 7 7, conductor 35, through windings of relays. 36 and 37 connected in parallel, coil of relay 38, contact 89, to ground. He lay 37 in attracting its armature, breaks the locking circuit of relay 41 by opening contact 47. The denergization of relay 41 interrupts the current flowing through relays 58 and 87, allowing their respective armatures to be returned to normal position. The opening of the contacts controlled by relays 58 and 87, produces the deenergization of relays 5, 19, 37 and 38, by causing their respective circuits to be interrupted. It may be stated here that relay 19 is of the type slow in responding, and by virtue of-that fact, the possibility of relay 5 reestablishing a locking circuit for itself is prevented. Simultaneously, with the deenergization of relay 87, the holding magnet 78 and stepping magnet 81 of the selector 75 are deenergized.

It will now be seen that the entire apparatus is restored to normal position, ready to transmit or set up any succeeding signals. Following now the sequence of operation, resulting when the power switch S is returned to normal or open position, itiwill be noted that when this occurs there will be a momentary application of positive battery.

to the winding 12 of relay 11, which may be traced by the following circuit: battery 2, contact member 1, conductor 26, winding 12 of relay 11, conductors 27, 28, contact 20, conductor 29, coil of relay 30, to ground. Upon the energization of relay 11, it forms a locking circuit for itself over the following path: battery 18, back contact 8 of relay 5, conductor 24, front contact 16 and winding 12 of relay 11, conductors 27, 28, contact 20,

conductor 29, coil of relay 30, to ground. The synchronous operation of the selectors 75, 75 takes place in a manner similar to that described above. When the contact member 77 contacts with the contact segment 1, the following circuit is established: battery 17, front contact 14 and winding 13 of relay 11, coil of relay 1.9, conductor 74, contact member 77 conductor 35, a parallel path through relays 36 and 37, coil of relay 38, conductor 90, contact 89, to ground. As stated hereinbefore, the winding 13 of relay 11 has a low resistance, which fact permitsv a supply of current to flow, suflicient to energize the marginal relay 36. The energization of relay 36 short-circuits the relay 61 and resistance unit 62. The short-circuiting of'the relay 61 and the resistance unit 62 eliminates sufiicient resistance from the line circuit, so that the current is now strong enough to operate the marginal relay 66, Whose circuit has been closed over the following path: battery 69, coils of relays 68, 66, conductor 65, contact 64, line wire 63, conductor 140, contacts-151 and 59 of relays 36 and 38 respectively, conductor 103, to ground.

The actuation of relay 66 completes a circuit which may be traced as follows:

battery 91, contact 144, conductor 143, coil' of relay 145, to ground, causing the conse- 134, winding of relay 133, conductors 132,

131, 130, winding of relay 117, conductor 116, contact member 77 conductor 115, front contact 142 of relay 145, to ground. It Wlll be noted that the current now flowing through the polarized relay 117 is in the opposite direction to that when switch S was in an operative position. The actuation of relay 117 causes its armature 118 to close a circuit through the lamp 123 as follows: grounded battery, conductors 120,122, armature 118, conatct 125, conductor 124, to ground. The lighting of lamp 123 will inform the attendant at the indicating station that the switch S is now in normal or open position. The apparatus is restored to its normal position in the same manner as has already been described.

It will be noted that in order to arrest the movement of the selector 75 at the switching station, after one of the switches S has been operated, the contact member 77 must engage one" of the segment contact members having battery connected thereto. If for any reason battery is'removed from a given contact member which has been assigned to the switch operated, the selector 75 will continue to be advanced until it reaches a contact member havin battery connected thereto, and failing to nd one, the contact member 77 will he stepped around untilit engages contact 101. In such an event, the following circuit will be completed: grounded battery 50, winding of relay 149, conductor 138, contact member 77, conductor 35,

the windings of relays 36 and 37 connected in parallel, coil of relay 38, conductor 90,

contact 89, to ground. The energization of 'Upon the engagement of contact member 77 with contact 101, a circuit is established through the relay 133, irrespective of the condition of the relay 145. In case. the switch S has been moved to an operative position, relay 133 will be energized over the ollowing circuit: battery 91, contact 92, conductors 93, 111, contact 112, conductor 113, contact 114, conductor 115, contact member 77, conductors 129, 132, coilof relay 133, conductor 134, back contact 135 of re lay 145, to ground. If theswitch S has been moved to an unoperative position, the

eagues relay 145 will be energized, as described before, closingthe following circuit: grounded battery 91, contact 92, conductors 93, 111, contact112, conductor 161, front contact 141 g of relay 145, conductor 134, coil of relay 133, conductors 132, 129, contact member 77, conductor 115, front contact 142 of relay l45,to ground The energization of the relay 133 breaks the locking circuit for the relay 160, which in turn causes the de-. energization of the relays 66 and 68. U on the'denergization of these relays, the se ector 75, at the indicating station, is allowed to return to normal position.

From the abovedescription it is apparent that the oflice of the relay 149 is to restore the selector 75, at the switching station, to normal position when its contact member 77 engages the contact segment 101. The relay 133 performs a similar function under like circumstances, in restoring the selector 75 at the indicating station to normal position. But under normal conditions, the restoration of the selector- 75 at the switching station, effected bythe energization of relay 37, causes the consequent restoration of the selector 75 at the indicating station.

The selector 75 at the switching station must be in normal position before the relay 33, which sets in motion the sequence of operations that cause said selector to be actuated, can be ener 'zed. Likewise, the selector 75 at the in icating station must be in normal position before the relay 160, which controls the line circuit, can be actuated. .It follows that, before an indication can be transmitted, both selectors must be in normal position, thus providing a means for synchronizing them. By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that the first three contacts 000, 00 and 0 of the contactor ring are left vacant. The object of this is to permit both the selectors to obtain substantially the same momentum before the contact member 77, 77 engages the remaining contacts. This feature is important in that it permits both the selectors to have approximately the same speed of rotation when completing circuits for the actuation of the mechanism which forms a. part of this invention.

Now let it be assumed that several of the power switches S have been operated simul-- taneously, or in such rapid succession that the selector 75 will be several indications behind in transmittin said indications. The several power switces referred to may be connected in a circuit of the relay 30 at the point 101, as indicated in the drawing. Likew1se, a corresponding number of polarized relays, individually associated with said power switches, maybe connected in the circuits controlled by the relay 145 located at the indicating station, as is represented at the point event the condition just mentioned occurs, the relay 30, common to all of the switches S, will remain continuously energized. The selectors 75, 75v will search out each set-up, clearing first those connected to the lower numbered contact members of the contact or ring. The relay 37 will primarily effect the releasing of the relays which operate in sequence to cause the stepping of the selectors 75, 75 around. The relay 160, at the indicating station, will open the line circuit at the indicating station, and all operations take place, as hereinbe'fore described. After transmitting one indication, and upon the contact member 77 returning to normal, the relay 33 will again be energized, as already described, and effect the actuation in sequence of the relays which produce the impulses. The switching end will then be ready to start, but must wait until the contact member 77 of the selector 75 at the indicating station has been restored to normal,-

plurality of electromagnetic devices associated with said switch, said devices being adapted for locking and interlocking when actuated, a rotary circuit closing device associated therewith, an indicating device, and means controlled by said circuit closing de vice for operating said indicating device.

2. In an indicating system, a switch, a plurality of electromagnetic devices associatedwith said switch, each of said electroing circuit under the control of another of said electromagnetic devices, a rotary circuit closing device, an indicating device, and means responsive to the rotation of said circuit closing device for operating said indicating device.

3. In an indicating system, a switch having a plurality of ositions, a plurality of relays associated with said switch, said relays being adapted for locking and interlocking when actuated, one of said relays being actuated when said switch is in one of said positions, another of said relays being actuated when said switch is in another of said positions, indicatingdevices, and a polarized relay operatively controlled by one of said first mentioned. relays for operatipgpne of said indicating devices and by theother of said first mentioned relays for operating the other of said indicating devices.

4. In an indicating system, a switching station and an indicating station connected magnetic devices adapted to complete a lockciated with each of said switches, a stepby step circuit closing device located at each of said stations, said circuit closing devices operating in synchronism, said electromagnetic devices controlling the operation of said circuit closing devices, indicating devices, and means controlled by one of said circuit closing devices for effecting the operation of said indicating devices.

5. In an indicating system, a switching station and an indicating station connected by a single line circuit, a plurality of switches located at said switching station, a plurality of relays associated with each of said switches, a step-by-step circuit closing device located at each of said stations, said circuit closing devices operating insynchronisIn, said relays controlling the operation of said circuit closing devices, indicating devices, and means controlled by one of said circuit closing devices for effecting the operation of said indicating devices.

6. In an indicating system, a switching station and an indicating station connected by a single line circuit, a plurality of switches located at said switching station, a plurality of electromagnetic devices associat-ed with each of said switches, a step-bystep circuit closing device, impulse sending means for controlling the advancement of said circuit closing device, said electromagnetic devices controlling said impulse sending means, a second step-'by-step circuit closing device located at said indicating station, said circuit closing devices operating in synchronism, indicating devices,

and means controlled by said second circuit closing device for efi'ecting the operation of said indicating devices.

7. In an indicating system, a switching station and an indicating station connecte by a single line circuit, a plurality of switches located at said switching station, a plurality of relays associated with each of said switches, g step-by-step circuit closing device, impulse sending'means for controlling the advancement of said circuit closing device, said relays controlling said impulse sending means, a second step-by-step circuit closing device located at said indieating station, said circuit closing devices operating in synchronism, indicating devices, and means controlled by said second circuit closing device for effecting the oper ation of said indicating devices.

8. In an indicating system, a switch, a pair of relays associated with said switch, one of said relays having a winding of low resistance, said relays beinginterconneoted and adapted to complete a locking circuit when actuated, a plurality of marginal relays, means for including said first mentioned relays in the same circuit with said marginal relays, said marginal relays operating when said first mentioned relay having a low resistance winding is included in the same circuit therewith, said marginal relays remaining inactive when the other of said first mentioned relays is included in the same circuit therewith, an indicating device, and means controlled by said marginal relays for effecting the operation of said indicating device.

9. In an indicating system, a switching station and an indicating station connected by a single line circuit, a switch located at said switching station, a plurality of electromagnetic devices associated with said switch, a step-loy-step circuit closing device, impulse sending means for controlling the advancement of said circuit closing device, said electromagnetic devices controlling said impulse sending means, a second step-bystep circuit closing device located at said indicating station, said circuit closing devices operating in synchronism, means controlled by said second circuit closing device for effecting the operation of said indicating device, and-means associated with each of said circuit closing devices for synchronizing the same.

10. In an indicating system, a switching station and an indicating station connected by a single line circuit, a plurality of switches located at said switching station, a corresponding number of indicating devices located at said indicating station,'one of said indicating devices being individually assigned to each of said switches, means controlled in common by said switches for effecting the actuation of said indicating device individual to any of said switches whereby the position thereof is shown, and means for storing up the indications which were initiated simultaneously and aut0mati= cally clearing them out in a definite order.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of September A. D.,

RICHARD FULLER SPAMER. Witnesses:

E. EDLER,

NAUON E. TUTHILL, 

